Council refutes claims it plans to build on protected Metropolitan Open Land in Yiewsley
Thursday 20 January 2022: Hillingdon Council has denied rumours that it will build a new housing development and library on protected land at Yiewsley Recreation Ground.
The designated Metropolitan Open Space land does not include the neighbouring Otterfield Road site (former Yiewsley pool site) and the Falling Lane site (Yiewsley Library and car park land) which the council is proposing to appropriate and gain planning permission to create a new development to benefit the whole community.
Yiewsley Recreation Ground includes a football pitch and children's play area and has Green Flag status (it is one of the borough's 63 Green Flag award-winning parks)
A brand-new 314 square metre library will be built on the Otterfield Road site, providing modern facilities for local residents, including retractable bookshelves which will allow the floor space to be more functional and open, as needed.
The Yiewsley Library site will offer a rooftop amenity space and the former pool site a community garden and children's play area for residents.
Full details of the planning application are available on the council website.
Leisure facilities in the area are also set to be expanded for residents, with work set to begin this spring on a state-of-the-art leisure centre in nearby West Drayton, which will include a 25-metre eight lane swimming pool, leisure pool, sports hall, rooftop 3G turf football pitch, gym, soft play area, climbing wall, youth zone, café and a multi-function space for community groups.
Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ian Edwards, said: "I would like to reassure our residents that the council has no plans to develop on the protected Metropolitan Open space land at Yiewsley Recreation Ground.
"Our proposed plans seek to sustainably develop the boundary area of the park and in no way infringe upon land we previously agreed as protected.
"With this proposed new development we intend to provide much-needed affordable homes, as well as delivering high quality leisure facilities for Yiewsley residents, including the new modern library and a brand-new leisure centre in nearby West Drayton."